NMT's HD4 mobile unit produces first HD broadcast

National Mobile Television’s newly built HD4 mobile production unit (pictured in front of Continental Airlines in E. Rutherford, NJ) recently produced its successful first broadcast, delivering a simultaneous 1080i HD and NTSC Widescreen SD feed from Game 5 of the first-round NBA playoff series between the New Jersey Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks April 29.

The HD4 is designed to eliminate jamming and the need for the trailer to be on a completely level surface. The side of the trailer is expanded and retracted by use of actuators mounted below the expansion to push and pull the side. Photo by Robert Wright.

The new truck will continue to flex its multi-format muscles by switching to 720p for upcoming ESPN broadcasts. HD4 is NMT’s 4th high-definition unit and first true multi-format HD facility.

HD4 boasts the largest amount of interior square footage (in excess of 640 square feet) of any television truck in the U.S., as well as a side designed to eliminate jamming and the need for the trailer to be on a completely level surface. The side of the trailer is expanded and retracted by use of actuators mounted below the expansion to push and pull the side. Conventional expandable trucks have used a tooth and gear drive arrangement that is prone to jamming and slipping as well as requiring the trailer to be almost completely level before expanding or retracting the side. In addition to an all-aluminum body and frame, HD4 utilizes high tech graphite composite materials for its floors and walls to reduce weight and improve the insulation capability of the trailer.

All the equipment in HD4 is designed to provide a plug-and-play environment at most any venue across the country. The truck’s equipment includes:

• Grass Valley XtenDD HD production switcher

• Grass Valley Trinix 512 digital video routing switcher

• Grass Valley Concerto series routing switcher

• SSL MT+ digital production console

• 22 Grass Valley LDK 6000 mkII multi-format cameras

The truck has already been booked as part of a multi-year contract extension between NMT and ABC Sports.

Under the terms of the ABC agreement, HD4 will be used on “Monday Night Football”. The agreement also provides NMT with exclusive facility responsibilities for all ABC Sports remote productions, including college football, PGA Tour events and ABC’s scheduled telecast of Super Bowl XXXX in January 2006.